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“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things”
Henry Miller
“It was Day 3. I did not know that I had the fear of heights until I stood near the edge of Lahesh Caves. Although I was enjoying the scenic beauty around me, but I could not unshaken the uneasiness the altitude had begun to give me.
Spoiler Alert: We never made it to the Indrahar Pass!”
Welcome to Prashant’s story of his first advent with nature at the Indrahar Pass Trekking.
The New Nature Lover – Prashant Ghoshal
Meet Prashant Ghoshal, a 30-year-old User Experience Consultant from Chennai, who took his first step to challenge by booking himself a Thrillophilia Package to the Indrahar Pass Trek to face the daunting heights of the place.
Well, not all travel stories are completely written at a single-go! This traveller battled his new found fear of heights and the challenges thrown by wilderness amazingly. Truly living up to his favourite quotation, “Half results do not produce half results. It produces no result”, we look forward to him coming back to complete his trek the next time.
The Indrahar Pass Trek Itinerary
The 3 Nights and 4 Days journey to complete the Indrahar Pass Trek began on the 7th of July, 2018. This trek starts off from McLeodganj and goes all the way till Indrahar Pass through the stops of Triund, Lahesh Caves, Ilaqa Got to reach Indrahar Pass and back. The mind floats free at those green mountain tops and the view of the Dhauladhars from the way to Triund is simply spectacular.
As a first time trekker, it was safe to state that the Indrahar Pass Trek is perfect for first time trekkers. The beauty of the mountain tops beckons the city-dweller to keep rising up, and with no cell phone towers or electricity, the man truly connects with the nothingness around it; and it makes him feel all the more alive.
Check Out the Best Trekking Tours in Himachal Pradesh
The Day When They Were All Excited
The group started the first day of their trek, which was also the last for those who were going only until Triund, on the 7th of July, 2018. The paths were set, the feet ready to walk those 9 km uphill to reach Triund, where they camped for the night. At first, the judgmental eyes scanned the co-trekkers for deciding their fates as to who would make it easy and who would not, but alas, right after about a couple of miles, they all realized that they were friends sailing on the same boat. Out of breath, wet with sweat, yet breathing the fresh air the mountains offered, they reached Triund by sunset.
The Day When we Took up the Challenge
After accomplishing Triund, the other set of 5 travelers who were to join them to feat Indrahar Pass backed out. Nevertheless, Prashant’s adventurous self was already high on the mountain air and nature’s creation; so the thrill-seekers, along with the two guides carried on with their journey to reach the Snow Line Cafe, the oldest in the area.
The Indrahar Pass stood right in front of us, challenging our mettle in every way possible. As the evening light captured the sky, the clouds thundered and it started raining. There could not have been a better moment than this, 3,500 meter above the sea level, rains, tea, and nothing to come in between the trekkers and their romance with the serene mountains.
The Day When They Unfinished Indrahar Pass Trek
As the rains trickled down, they were snuck inside their waterproof tents silently hoping that they could stay here forever, and no night ever seemed more beautiful than this one. Thousands of stars shined bright at Ilaqa, and showered the mountain tops with all the night light they could have needed. Amongst all the blessings of nature, Prashant recalls the most memorable event took place that night. Definitely, not the most beautiful one! At about 3:30 AM, the front of their tent collapsed and they feared for a bear attack, considering how the guides were alerting them about their presence at dinner. A lot of courage and hundreds of seconds took them to take a look at it. Relieved to degrees unknown at that sight, it was just a calf who tripped over the tent’s harness!
The next day, as they marched toward the Indrahar Pass, the altitude increased and the duo started getting greeted by unstable rocks and slippery moulds. The guides understood Prashant’s newly discovered fear of heights, and the general advice was passed to let go of the Indrahar Pass and he could always come back to do it again. Although his heart felt heavy, but the body knew that it was just the right call to take.
As they trekked down, their guides engaged them with stories untold and they bid goodbye to the mountains! Sure, although the Indrahar Pass Trek could not be completed, Prashant looks forward to undertake it sometime soon in the near future.
Until then, never say never!
Planning to Sign Up for the Indrahar Trek? Consider These Pointers by Prashant!
Prashant’s story deserved to be told. He was kind enough to hand-in his recommendations and suggestions to Thrillophilia. Thrillophilia is already looking into the suggestions, in order to make the Indrahar Pass Trek an experience you’d want to take home in 2018.
- What you carry is important. On a trek like this, I’d advise you not to carry a backpack heavier than 5 kg. Carry earphones, power bank and your camera!
- If you value personal hygiene, I’d advise you to carry baby wipes. Also, please find non-walking trails for defecation. Once your job is done, please ensure you cover it with earth. There’s no shame, the shame only lies in spoiling the trail for others.
- Dress in clothing which dries easily. It’s also advisable to carry a poncho along with your raincoat. Avoid jeans or any such material.
- Carry one crepe bandage, instant pain relief spray and Brufen. Your guide should have the rest of first aid but make sure you confirm the same before taking the first step.
- Carry Zip lock bags for trash for sure. Don’t even think about throwing any waste on the hill even if you’re disposing it in some trash can.
- This is mostly a dry trek so carry one litre water bottle for each person and do not carry soft plastic mineral water bottles that you can throw around on the mountain.
- Energy bars and ORS are a must carry. Eat one as soon as you feel a little dizzy and make sure you keep yourself as hydrated as you can. Keep the salt content of your body on level as well. You will sweat a lot.
- Wear extremely comfortable clothes and I mean undergarments too!
- Throw away your alcohol bottles and weed packs. Get high on the pure oxygen and drink the mineral laced stream water on the way to Indrahar.
- Good trekking shoes with strong grip will always be a blessing in disguise.
